The Best Melbourne Wedding Photography

St James’ Stunning Mosaics

One of the most striking features of St James is the mosaic on the far wall of the interior. This design was inspired by the Roman medieval style known as opus sectile, a technique that uses irregularly-shaped pieces of tiling and precious materials such as mother-of-pearl and glass. The mosaic at St James lights up the rest of the church, creating shimmering effects that bounce around the space.

The technique used in this breathtaking mosaic gives the church a European feel, reminiscent of some of the greatest cathedrals of Italy. Although its opus sectile was originally used in the Middle Ages, it underwent a revival in the late 19th century, and was used extensively at the turn of the century up until the Art Deco period of the 1920s and 30s. The mosaic present in St James comes from this era and is a fantastic example of style and glamour of the time.

This stunning mosaic is unique to St James and offers a brilliant ceremony backdrop, with its gorgeous colours and vibrant design. The Roman inspired decorative composition was laid in 1934 along with the spectacular mosaic tiling across the church’s floor. The elaborate and intricate tile work across the sanctuary and floor is definitely worth a look, adding to the overall brilliance of St James.

The golden glass tiles flicker as light passes through the stained glass windows. Serendipity adores the geometric patterns created with the cut tiles, the blue and gold complementing one another perfectly in harmonious shapes and warm hues. The curve of the majestic mosaic makes for a breathtaking setting for ceremonies and some dazzling photographs of your wedding day.